Japanese-Style Breadcrumbs Increasingly Appeal to Home Cooks

Americans' love of chicken fingers, fried foods and ways to make dinner faster is boosting sales of a humble Japanese ingredient: panko breadcrumbs.

Panko, slightly larger, airier and crunchier than its American counterpart, mimics the crunch of deep frying without the frying, making it appealing for dishes like chicken fingers and for topping macaroni and cheese, say chefs and food companies.